The front door/porch area is too dark to see properly. Can you post a picture closer in?

@callirhoe123 - I just added some more photos. You can't see them in the picture but there are stairs behind the wisteria that go down to the side path.

If we cannot see your working entryway, then visitors may not either. You need to emphasis the door you wish people to approach with a pathway, lighting and from-the-street vantage point. Paint the door something that stands out. The “traditional” placement door need not be distinctive but blend in. No sense making people feel silly for going the wrong way. A solar entryway light with remote solar panel will brighten the space after dusk.

What a beautiful home! I still am unable to see where your intended entrance is located. From the photos you have posted it appears that the entrance is in the far left section of the home (the 2 story part with small covered porch). Your comments state the entrance is in the far right section of the building.

If you only use the porch as a deck, then you can close if off a little with plants. Then landscape the true entrance with more formal planting and lighting to indicate where people should go.

Hang your flag and house numbers by the intended entrance too!

Thank you! I added in a picture of the main entrance which is far right. So that you enter into the main big greenhouse room. Do you suggest we put a railing on the front door porch? Or just close it off with plants.

I think your house would look good with a walkway directly up to the front door. Would that cause problems for you? Visitors, mail delivery, packages, ??

Thank you very much @decoenthusiaste! This all sounds good.

@nickel_kg - yeah unfortunately that front door isn't usable.

@decoenthusiaste - and yes, those are working meters. Lastly, should we put anything from the garden to the sidewalk? A mini 1 ft fence? Bricks? Anything?

I'd use a railing on the narrow path to the front door for safety reasons. Where does the sloping drive in front go? Can we see what's on the right?

@callirhoe123 - It's the driveway. I've just added a picture. I agree on the railing too. If you are coming from Main street it is pretty steep.

Is there any possibility of relocating the front door? It cannot even be seen from the street.

I love your home. Because your side-facing main entrance is so unusual and unexpected, I would do everything to enhance it. First, the step-down from the door looks a little dicey and unsafe (where the brick and stone sections come together. The landing seems like it needs to be extended a couple of feet toward the street, and a railing here would be appropriate.

It looks like the evergreen that was blocking the view from the street to the door has been removed, and a large stone address block was put in...is that correct? I think the address marker should be moved a yard or two to the left to make way for a lovely walkway that leads to your doorway and mailbox, flanked by plants and lighting. Flag should go here, as someone else mentioned. This whole area on the right needs to be enlarged and enhanced to give it visual weight and to balance the facade of the home. Right now, the original main entrance/2 story section carries all of the visual weight.

Finally, I would then add a railing and plantings all around the old front porch to make it clear that this is not where visitors should go. This sounds like a fun project on a historical home. Landscaping (both hardscape and plantings) can solve this conundrum!

@decorpatti - this is all so helpful - thank you! And yes you are correct. The evergreens have been removed and the large stone block was put in it's place.

The side entrance looks a bit narrow and precarious. Could just be the angle of the photos. How wide is the walkway and the landing? Ideally you would not have to step up into the house.

If at all possible, I’d recommend relocating the front door by replacing the 2 right windows with a new door. Change the current door to a window and then put in a walkway to your new door. If that’s not in your budget now, put in a railing on the walkway to prevent anyone from falling onto the driveway.

I would put a classic white picket fence around the entire “front” yard that faces the street, enclosing the area in front of the original front door that is no longer in use. No gate. That will prevent people from entering that area and attempting to come in that door. Garden inside the space. I would stop the fence short of the area where you want people to approach your real front door. Honestly, the location is very precarious and intimidating. It does not read “welcome.” You need to re think that entrance to provide a wider access path, steps, a railing, lighting, etc. that signals this is the entrance to your home.